Autumn Gold Willowleaf Sunflower

Hardy and handsome ‘Autumn Gold’ Willowleaf Sunflower (Helianthus salicifolius PP30117) blooms from late summer until frost, with a dense carpet of 2-inch flowers with yellow rays and dark brown center cones. The species Helianthus salicifolius has a native range in the central United States in the Great Plains and Ozark Plateau including Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. It performs best in average, well-drained soil and full sun, though this adaptable native plant is tolerant of wide range of soil conditions. In partial shade, the plants may be leggy and more open, with reduced flowering, and may require staking.

'Autumn Gold' is a compact, mound-forming selection that originated from the plant H. salicifolius 'Low Down'. Mature plants form dense clumps, but 'Autumn Gold' does not reliably self-seed. It pairs perfectly with Asters and ornamental grasses for stunning late-season combinations in gardens and meadowscapes. The foliage is reminiscent of willow leaves, which contributes to the plant’s common name.